Going into dept for solar panels

[treerooted]

It depends. What interest rate? Would you be doing it yourself? You know we have laws here in Florida that make it illegal to have a solar system that is not attached to the grid..and make it illegal to use your solar panels when the power goes out. And when my power monopoly here says they pay you for your power they mean they give you a credit to buy power from them they don't give you cash. These scam artists installing it now are all cons..These power corps are cons. And that federal rebate is only if you pay that much in taxes anyway they won't take it. If you don't pay that much you might not get anything back. Be careful. Really pisses me off what these corporations are doing to BLOCK people trying to get away from them. We are doing it ourselves, ordering the panels ourselves and if you do it this way you will not have to go into debt you can do it for so much less. ..after youre done with their financing at some of these places that install and finance? You can do it for 2000 yourself..youll pay 20000 or more for power you cant use when the grid is out if you get it from these scam artists that install and their deals with the power corps ..

We won't be doing it ourselves, we're just not comfortable with it. We found a contractor we like and he'll take us through the whole process, though there's some work we'll do ourselves to cut costs. We make more money by selling to the grid, that's why we're doing it at all, after this year the special rate program ends and it wouldn't be worth it for us to install. Once the loan is paid for that will be extra income for us. We get "cash" for the return. The panels belong to us.
As for financing we're going through a home equity line of credit so the interest rate will be as low as we could get for such a loan. No one around here does the install + financing option anyway.
That's too bad that the system isn't very friendly in Florida.

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

We're actually going to ask about this today!
I don't think there's anything illegal about using power directly from your source (wind,solar, generator etc), but I'm not sure on the logistics.

oh yes there is..here in Florida there is and watch them because they will try to trick you into thinking there isn't with tricky wording. http://citizensforpreservingnaples....lip-on-solar-panels-but-got-hit-with-sick-law

We're actually going to ask about this today!
I don't think there's anything illegal about using power directly from your source (wind,solar, generator etc), but I'm not sure on the logistics.

There is a law against using your power from its source In Florida anyway, you MUST power down here in Florida when the rest of the grid goes down. They don't tell people that though ..they also don't tell them what they get back from the electric corporation will be credit to buy more power not cash.
First they did this http://www.collective-evolution.com...mes-must-be-connected-to-an-electricity-grid/

Then this. https://interestingengineering.com/...ng-solar-power-in-aftermath-of-hurricane-irma

https://conservativetribune.com/irma-victims-solar-panels-sick-law/

 

[sumi]

@HeidiEmbrey, welcome to the forum! This is very interesting (I'm being polite now), these laws and loop holes and thou shall nots that comes with trying to be a bit more self-reliant in some parts of the States… I said to a friend yesterday I read about it being agains the law to grow your own veg in some places, against the law to collect rain water, agains the law to keep a few hens in many places It's all about the mighty $$ nowadays. And control.

 

[treerooted]

Sorry @HeidiEmbrey , I was just referring to where I live which is not in Florida. But I'm sure that will be great info for someone.

 

[Wannabefree]

Having built and worked on 5 solar farms now...I'd like to just say...I don't recommend it. The end result is generally more trouble than it's worth still for residential use unless you get some deep deep discounts and almost completely DIY the project, which CAN be done, but doesn't sound like what you're planning.

 

[treerooted]

Having built and worked on 5 solar farms now...I'd like to just say...I don't recommend it. The end result is generally more trouble than it's worth still for residential use unless you get some deep deep discounts and almost completely DIY the project, which CAN be done, but doesn't sound like what you're planning.

No, it's not discounts we're getting but a long term fixed price on the electricity we sell to the grid. So the panels will pay off the loan by itself and then it's just profit for us afterwards.

But what kind of trouble have you run into for residential? (outbuilding roof install)

 

[Wannabefree]

There is potential for a lot of storm damage, which if you have a good warranty is fine, IF you aren't out labor for replacement. Panels are still very delicate. I've done a ton of punch out on solar farms that were installed months previously because of broken and damaged panels or warped racks. Some was simply from wind damage, some hail pings, some just various objects crack or shatter whole panels. It really doesn't take much pressure to shatter one either like you might think. Then there's wiring...which is a whole different ballgame, with lots of other options of potential damage. I just personally wouldn't do it without extensive knowledge of wiring and install and maintenance.